3 steps to prepare your Mac for the macOS Sierra update

September 1, 2016Comments are off

The new desktop operating system from Apple macOS Sierra is announced on September, 20th. macOS Sierra has lots of new useful features, so we highly recommend that you update. Here are three basic preparations and tips to help you update quickly and painlessly.

How to prepare Mac for macOS Sierra update

1. Check system requirements

Here is a list of computers which operate the new OS from Apple:

MacBook Pro (2010 and later)

MacBook Air (2010 and later)

Mac Mini (2010 and later)

Mac Pro (2010 and later)

MacBook (Late 2009 and later)

iMac (Late 2009 and later)

To install macOS Sierra you will need at least 4GB of RAM and 8GB of free hard disk space. To check your Mac hard drive compatibility, go to menu bar and select About This Mac.

2. Clean up your Mac

Delete unnecessary applications

You can use the free tool App Cleaner from Nektony. It allows you to delete all of an application`s service content and remains. By the way, this recommendation is preferable not only for macOS Sierra installation. Clearing your hard drive from time to time helps your Mac run faster.

Clear cache and junk files

A special app called ClearDisk can help you. Clearing all of the cache, logs and language preferences may free up much of your memory space.

Check your drive for big and useless files

This can be easily done with an app called Disk Expert. It will take 5-10 min depending on the size of your hard drive.

Find and remove duplicates

It’s simple to find duplicates with Duplicate File Finder. The app allows you to find all duplicate files: photos, videos, music, and even similar folders.

Find and delete unneeded hidden files

A free app Find Files allows to find any file, including hidden ones. It searches in bundles and packages and offers to delete unneeded data.

3. Make a backup copy

There is a risk that you may lose some important files while upgrading. So, we highly recommend to backup before upgrading. Use Time Machine for this.

Any reliable cloud (iCloud Drive, DropBox, etc.) is suitable to backup the files. Just check that you have enough data space before doing so.

Now you are ready to install macOS Sierra. After all these preparations, feel free to go to the App Store and download the new operation system. It will take from 30 minutes to an hour to install macOS Sierra.

It is important to mention, that clearing all cache and junk files from your Mac allows to avoid further issues. For instance, some users complain about a slow Wi-Fi connection after macOS Sierra Beta update. If you are faced with such a problem, follow the next steps to solve the problem:

Turn off Wi-Fi connection → Create a folder on your desktop with any name → Open Finder window and use a shortcut Command + Shift + G → in a “Go To Folder” window type /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/. Find these files’ names there:

com.apple.airport.preferences.plist

com.apple.network.identification.plist

com.apple.wifi.message-tracer.plist

NetworkInterfaces.plist

preferences.plist

The next step is to copy these files to the folder you have created and delete them from the SystemConfiguration folder. Then restart your macOS Sierra and turn on the Wi-Fi. (Resource – Fixing Wi-Fi Issues)